ثُمَّ إِنَّ مَرْجِعَهُمْ لَإِلَى ٱلْجَحِيمِ 68
Translations
Then indeed, their return will be to the Hellfire.
Transliteration
Thumma inna marji'ahum la-ilā al-jahīm
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah states that ultimately, the return of those who reject Allah's signs and persist in disbelief will be to the Hellfire (al-Jahīm). According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari, this conclusion emphasizes the certainty of divine justice—that regardless of worldly deceptions or temporary enjoyments, the final destination for those who turn away from truth is inevitable punishment. The emphatic particle 'inna' and the oath particle 'la' underscore the absolute certitude of this return.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in the context of Surah As-Saffat's description of the Day of Judgment and the fate of disbelievers. The surah, revealed in Mecca during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad, repeatedly contrasts the states of the righteous and the wicked in the Hereafter, serving to warn the Meccan polytheists of their ultimate destination if they persist in rejection.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: 'The Fire complained to its Lord saying: O my Lord! My parts consume each other.' So He allowed it to breathe twice—once in winter and once in summer. (Sahih Bukhari 536). This hadith relates to the reality and characteristics of Hellfire mentioned throughout the Quran.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that worldly distractions and the temporary success of disbelievers do not negate divine accountability; every soul will ultimately face the consequences of its choices. Modern readers should internalize that true success is measured not by worldly gains but by obedience to Allah and preparation for the eternal return.
Related Ayahs
قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا مَن قَدَّمَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا فَزِدْهُ عَذَابًا ضِعْفًا فِى ٱلنَّارِ
They will say, "Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us - increase for him double punishment in the Fire."
قُلْ أَغَيْرَ ٱللَّهِ أَبْغِى رَبًّا وَهُوَ رَبُّ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ ۚ وَلَا تَكْسِبُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ إِلَّا عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۚ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُم مَّرْجِعُكُمْ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ
Say, "Is it other than Allāh I should desire as a lord while He is the Lord of all things? And every soul earns not [blame] except against itself, and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you concerning that over which you used to differ."
۞ وَإِذَا صُرِفَتْ أَبْصَـٰرُهُمْ تِلْقَآءَ أَصْحَـٰبِ ٱلنَّارِ قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
And when their eyes are turned toward the companions of the Fire, they say, "Our Lord, do not place us with the wrongdoing people."
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَنَكْتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُوا۟ وَءَاثَـٰرَهُمْ ۚ وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍ أَحْصَيْنَـٰهُ فِىٓ إِمَامٍ مُّبِينٍ
Indeed, it is We who bring the dead to life and record what they have put forth and what they left behind, and all things We have enumerated in a clear register.